Aspleniaceae
Common oak fern
Gymnocarpium dryopteris
Also known as Phegopteris dryopteris f. interrupta, Polypodium dryopteris var. genuinum, Polypodium dryopteris var. glandulosum, Phegopteris dryopteris
Native Plants · Fern · Oak Fern · Shade Plant · Woodland · Cool Climate · Ground Cover · Moist Soil · Perennial · Native Fern · Forest Garden
Common oak fern is a delicate, low-growing fern that thrives in deep shade and cool, moist conditions, making it perfect for woodland gardens or shaded borders. It prefers humus-rich, well-draining soil that stays consistently moist, mimicking its natural forest floor habitat. Avoid direct sun and dry conditions, as this fern is sensitive to drought and heat.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 2 hours
- Watering
- Water enough to keep soil consistently moist and humus-rich · Every 5-7 days; do not allow soil to dry out
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5–5.5
- Temperature
- -20°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 18 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Alaska, Albania, Alberta, Altay, Amur, Arizona, Austria, Baltic States, Belgium, British Columbia, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, Central European Rus, China North-Central, Chita, Colorado, Connecticut, Corse, Czechoslovakia, Denmark
Sources: trefle
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